Why has Obama lost his lead?

Originally posted by sos37
Then came Sarah Palin, which wasn't so much of a shakeup in itself, but the Democratic blasting and "no holds barred" attacking of her
family proved to what lows the Obama campaign would stoop to win. I think that in itself opened a lot of people's eyes, and the "Obama
spell" started to wear off.

emphasis added by dr_strangecraft

I'm not picking on you. I swear.

I think that the McCain team has done a masterful job of positioning themselves so that the gut reaction of Obama/Biden and the press looked
mean-spirited.

I think that many of the issues brought up by the media are legitimate issues. But like a good chess player, Rove *ahem* I mean the McCain team
thought a move ahead, and laid out Tar Baby-style traps for Obama and MSM to get stuck into.

I mean, her lack of long-term experience IS an issue. Maybe her personal flair can answer that question for you, maybe not. But it shouldn't be
out of bounds, either.

I think her teenage daughter's pregnancy raises legitimate questions. Not that they would be discussed if Palin were a democrat; but questions that
any reasonable candidate would expect to have an answer for---which palin did masterfully, by the way. Almost like she'd been waiting for the media
to ask.

Remember with me. Did the media EVER really discuss palin's daughter in a negative way? Or was it some obscure bloggers out there, made into a
straw man to represent the whole of the MSM and obama? Wasn't Obama the one who refrained from discussing it? But he and the media (who
didn't discuss it either, until asked) got all the blame. Neat trick.

But think about a far less divisive issue with me: her small town and rural state experience. Those REALLY ARE legitimate questions. I mean, it's
not like she's the equivalent of the mayor of new york or the governor of california or texas or something.

But the media elite, and Obama's team, could be trusted to phrase their comments in ways that could be construed to be condescending in the
right hands. And rove, er, the McCain Team, has construed the holy hell out of all liberal comments, basically turning Palin's candidacy into a
referendum on not only womanhood, but on small-town life, and the western states in general.

Amazing that Obama's democrats don't have any more experience at "framing" than that. They got framed, and Palin did the framing. you almost
have to stand still to let someone frame you that well.

Bill Clinton had people like Carrville and Stephanopoulos, and Deedee Myers, who would have seen those traps coming. They would have seen how a
question can be twisted into an ugly smear when it is spun right.

It quit being about Palin a week ago. Now it's about the Media's hatred of middle America. I think even I could get elected, if I were
running against the media.

The basic truth is Democrats cant figure out how to attack Sarah Palin.

Cant mention experience it brings issues back to Obama.

Cant attack her on politics as usual she didnt deal with Washington.

Cant attack her on abortion she simply brings up her son.

She comes in saying she changed Alaska and will do the same in Washington.there goes his change message.

If he makes a snyde comment hes a sexist.

I think Hillary Clinton was right

Clinton, the senator from New York and wife of former President Bill Clinton, took time on ABC's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" to say her
race with Obama, the senator from Illinois, for the Democratic presidential nomination has remained civil, a focus he would not enjoy during the
general election.

"I know people look at this campaign and say, well, somebody said this and somebody said that, but by all accounts there haven't been the kind of
attack ads that you're going to see in the general election," Clinton said..

the reality is he wasnt ready to discuss issues and be attacked on them he hasnt dealt with a true political campaign yet and now hes paying the
price.
Really should have picked Hillary

The man can't think well under pressure. The " My Muslim Faith" slip is a major slip. And then "You can't put lipstick on a pig" after Sarah
Palin had made political history with her pitbull/soccermom comparison involving lipstick.

It's good that this stuff comes out now as it is obvious that if elected, Barac would be an embarassment to the US and to the office of president.

Barac is a young man. It would be better if he had waited and built up experience for his run for president. Unfortunate for him, however, that was
not meant to be and his weaknesses were exposed.

The following is my opinion as a member participating in this discussion.

Why has Obama lost his lead...

First off, the only poll that matters a whit, is the one in the first week of November...all the others are for fun and the sake of argument (aka
discussion).

To my mind, Obama's biggest mistake was not extending the olive branch to Clinton, both of 'em. Whatever else he is, Mr. Clinton can wow 'em on
the campaign trail.

Second was choosing Biden as his running mate. Biden? Really? My first thought when he did that was: "He had the election all but won, and he
does this?" Where is a young up and comer that would solidify his mantra of "change"? Who says that person has to be a politician? Someone, from
the private sector? Ex military? In my not so humble opinion, it was a major, major blunder on the part of Obama to choose Sen. Biden.

It was only magnified when McCain picked a relative unknown in Sarah Palin. She's basically everything Obama should have picked as his running
mate...smart, attractive, and a fighter. Someone like that, on the underside of Obama's ticket, and the election would be over. Instead? It's a
pick 'em, entering the homestretch.

As an ATS Staff Member, I will not moderate in threads such as this where I have participated as a member.

Originally posted by jetxnet
The way to beat Obama is to defeat anyone with Narcissitic Personality Disorder and that is to steal his "limelite or attention".

Narcissistic... Wow. Just Obama, huh? Wondering what your basing that one on aside from your partisan illogical reasoning. Could it be because he had
lofty goals and has aspired towards them? Does that make him narcissistic? So, McCain isn't? Clinton wasn't? Both Bushes weren't? I think you need
to think very highly of yourself in order to consider yourself good enuf for the top spot. I'm pretty sure Obama doesn't stand alone in this area.

Originally posted by jetxnet
The only attention Obama should be getting is that of looking like a desparate Tool.

A Desparate Tool.... Unbelievable.

Originally posted by jetxnet
He has also tangled himself in a web of lies. He'll lie about a lie, just to keep avoiding the truth. People are catching on to that too.

Proof? Which lies in particular are you referring to? Where's your post on McCain/Palin lies? e.g. Palin was against the Bridge to Nowhere (even
though she was for it at first), Palin sold the Governors plane on eBay (but really didn't. It wouldn't sell, she sold it privately), McCain claims
Obama's plan raises taxes (when it has been independently vetted that it in fact lowers taxes on most Americans). I probably won't see that post
from you, I'm sure.

Originally posted by jetxnet
Also, Obama believes the American people are more stupid than they are. By using lame marketing tactics and trying to "identify" with the common
person...

You don't think Obama can identify with the common person? You don't think his upbringing, experience, and community work is on par with the middle
class? You think in contrast McCain is?!?!

His campaign has been built on a house of cards. Those cards are starting to collapse.

There's that intellectual dishonesty again!

Folks, in every electoral map I've seen thus far, Obama wins the presidency today if elections were held now.

So why is McCain leading right now alot of the daily polls?

Because he just had his convention!!! WAKE UP!!

And although most will concede McCain's bump was significantly larger than Obama's, convention bumps are temporary, so don't get too excited about
it.

Plum, unless there is a major shift in the winds, Barak will be the next President of the United States. And for one simple reason (forget about
positions on issues and stupid little word slip-ups): The American people are done with Republicans. Period.

The following is my opinion as a member participating in this discussion.

Hmmmm...I didn't say pick her as VP. That, IMHO, would have been a mistake. Sitting down and just talking things out with her and her
husband...from all apperances, this didn't happen. A mistake on his part...

The Clinton's are a major force in dem politics, can't be ignored or shuffled off to the side...don't forget she's a sitting US senator, one with
not a little clout (she punches well above her jr. senator weight class) in Washington DC. She could make things really hard on a President Obama
should she choose to do so...

As an ATS Staff Member, I will not moderate in threads such as this where I have participated as a member.

Wow, what a great post! I agree with almost everything you wrote. Any chance you can forward those comments to Obama's people?

If McCain's VP choice proved anything, it was that you can pick whoever you want. The only thing that matters is 1) what the candidate thinks and 2)
what the voters think. Remember the zero-hour comments from other Republicans about Palin? Many were shocked and disappointed, and openly expressed
their dismay to the media. Eventually, everyone fell in line. Certainly after the bump in the polls was recognized.

As a die-hard Democrat, I remember getting a shiver when I learned about the Great European Tour. What the heck were Dems thinking? Did they forget
that only ONE Dem has held office since 1980? Win the damn election first, then go curry favor with Europe.

To use a betting term, I see the Biden pick as a push. But in this situation, a push is the same as a loss. McCain's VP pick was a Grand Slam. To
quote NPR commentator Michel Martin, "Democrats underestimate [Palin] at their peril."

I also remember that the only place where people weren't slamming Hillary was FOXNEWS! I actually stopped watching MSNBC during the Primaries because
their bias was so obvious, and I didn't want it to affect my own decision. If you hear something enough, it sinks in. The MEDIA decided that Obama
was the pick. Who they got their marching orders from is another discussion.

Simply because he did nothing about Palin. He let her shock the people and himself. It's like in the movie Gladiator where the immoral emperor uses
the coliseum games to distract the people. Thats what you have to do with elections, it's all about shock and awe. Instead of sitting down and
thinking of a good response to this he chooses silence and crude analogies ( the pig lipstick remark which we all know is possibly a Palin remark).
This shows me he's a little weak in the quick response area. Whether you like him or not, Bush was praised for his quick response to 9/11 and what
not and if Obama can't respond quick to a simple VP pick you can be sure the Republicans will use that against him as much as possible. Republicans
aren't all, and the only quick thinkers, take Franklin D. Roosevelt for example! It's already known that McCain is better at Improvisation than
Obama and I think that will clearly show in the debates. I think Obama needs to step up his quick thinking and meditate on what his campaigns really
all about besides "Change" (which has been the problem all along). I could shout change and all I would get it a penny thrown at me.

Originally posted by TH3ON3
Why do you think Obama has lost his lead? I can give my thoughts...He does way to many um's and oh's while answering questions which reminds people
too much of a certain other president who in the past was linguistically challenged. His slips on not knowing how many states, and of course the my
muslim faith slip shows me he doesen't have as sharp a mind as people like to see a leader of our great nation have. ...

He could wear a portable teleprompter around his neck. So he can read off the right response in all situations - news conferences, interviews, etc.

Most ppl now seem to think McCain is a better choice now simply because of Palin..one question..how much do you know about her? Do u know where she
stands on the issues, and do you agree with her positions? what is her plans for the economy, Iran, Healthcare, etc..

You better take a good look because once you place that vote it is already too late, the same ones who vote for Bush-McCain-Palin are the same ones
who will suffer under their disastrous polices dont be fooled by wolves in sheeps clothing do your research there is too much at stake...

Originally posted by InTheFlow
Most ppl now seem to think McCain is a better choice now simply because of Palin..one question..how much do you know about her? Do u know where she
stands on the issues, and do you agree with her positions? what is her plans for the economy, Iran, Healthcare, etc..

You better take a good look because once you place that vote it is already too late, the same ones who vote for Bush-McCain-Palin are the same ones
who will suffer under their disastrous polices dont be fooled by wolves in sheeps clothing do your research there is too much at stake...

Flip side this what does it say about Obama when he can have his thunder stolen by Palin. It means there looking for any alternative to him. now there
is the crux of the problem. Again if the dems didn't waist my vote and stopped trying to shove Obama down are throats Hillary would have been the
next president.

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